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Composting and worm-farming

Did you know that around 45% of the waste in red bins in Ku-ring-gai is food waste?* This food waste is then transported to landfill where it rots without air to form harmful greenhouse gases.

Fortunately, organic material can easily be returned to the soil as rich fertiliser, compost and mulch. Compost improves plant growth, increases the capacity of the soil to hold nutrients and the ability of plants to resist disease.

Home composting and worm-farming is easy, fun and an important way of reducing the volume of these valuable materials going to landfill, cutting down on the associated greenhouse gases and returning nutrients back into the soil. By increasing the number of households that compost in our area we can reduce our ecological footprint and improve our local environment and community.

Composting workshops

The next 'Ku-ring-gai Residents only' workshop will be held at Kimbriki on 29 May 10am - 1pm. Bookings are required. To book your place contact Sally Allport on 9424 0919 or email wasteservices@kmc.nsw.gov.au

Join the Compost Revolution in Ku-ring-gai!

The Compost Revolution is a free and fun online resource available to Ku-ring-gai residents which will teach you the skills of composting and worm-farming.

By completing the online tutorial and the short quiz that follows, you are eligible to purchase a subsidised compost bin or worm warm (complete with worms) via the Compost Revolution. As part of Council’s commitment to reduce food waste, we are offering up to 40% discount on the Compost Revolution worm farms and compost bins to Ku-ring-gai residents that complete the online tutorial and quiz and order the products.

Your compost bin or worm farms will be delivered to your door for FREE.

Anyone can do the online tutorial and you can do it as many times as you like. However, the discounted offer is only available to residents of Ku-ring-gai and limited to one of each product. The Compost Revolution in Ku-ring-gai is funded by Council's Environmental Levy.

Composting

In compost bins, microscopic organisms turn kitchen and garden waste into decomposed organic matter known as compost. When used in the garden, compost provides soil with essential nutrients, breaks up heavy clay soils and helps sandy soils retain moisture.

Worm farms

Worms make structures called worm casts, which are a great natural fertiliser. Worm farms can be used to breed worms and collect castings. Castings can be placed straight onto your garden or mixed with water to make a liquid fertiliser for pot plants.

Worms will eat:

fruit and vegetable scraps (variety is important)

pulp from juicers

bread crusts

crushed eggshells

tea bags

leaves

cardboard (shredded and soaked)

paper

Worms don't like onion, garlic or citrus fruits and may escape the farm to get away from them.